Gwyneth Paltrow Takes the Stand in Ski Crash Trial
Actress and Goop founder, Gwyneth Paltrow, has taken the stand in the trial over a skiing accident that occurred during a 2016 family ski vacation in Deer Valley, Utah. She is being sued by retired optometrist, Terry Sanderson, who claims that Paltrow crashed into him on the beginner slopes, leaving him with brain damage and four broken ribs.
Paltrow, who has countersued, claiming that Sanderson crashed into her from behind, took the stand on Friday dressed in a dark top and skirt. She repeated her account of the incident, stating that Sanderson was the one who slammed into her. The trial, which began earlier in the week, is being streamed live.
Sanderson is seeking $300,000 in damages, reduced from the original amount of $3 million. Paltrow is countersuing for \”symbolic damages\” of $1, plus legal fees. During the trial, Sanderson’s lawyer questioned Paltrow on whether she was seeking $1 because Taylor Swift had once done so. However, Paltrow denied having a close friendship with the singer.
Expert witness, Richard Boehme, a biomedical engineer who evaluated Sanderson in 2021 on his behalf, testified that Sanderson’s rib injuries could only be the result of being struck from behind. Mark Stephen Herath, the brother of Sanderson’s son-in-law, also testified, talking about Sanderson’s resulting memory loss, confusion, and paranoia after the collision. Sanderson’s daughter Shae Sanderson Herath also recounted an incident in which he screamed at his young granddaughter as a result of his changed behavior.
Paltrow’s two children, who were skiing with her that day along with her now-husband Brad Falchuk, are also expected to testify in the case.
At Thursday’s hearing, Paltrow reportedly wore a necklace worth $25,000 that is for sale on the Goop website, which drew attention online. Additionally, her team tried to give baked goods to the bailiffs, but were denied in an awkward moment.
The trial continues as the ski resort community watches closely for the outcome of this high-profile case.
